The parties are divided on the issue of constitutional amendment

This issue is getting heated with Congress and UML creating a new equation for the agenda including constitutional amendment. Congress, UML MPs have claimed that they are going to amend the constitution for progress. They say that constitutional amendment is necessary for political stability. However, some parties, including the Maoists, have suspected that inclusive and proportional representation is going to be removed in the name of stability.

Although Congress and UML did not clearly reveal which articles of the constitution they will amend, they have said that they are going to arrange for a majority by removing or reducing the proportional election system. For this purpose, Congress and UML claim to form a commission and guarantee political stability by reforming the electoral system based on its recommendations.

Acting Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday accused the parliament of going on a journey towards regression through constitutional amendment. He alleged that there is an attempt to tamper with the constitution in a mysterious way. He also claimed that there is going to be a threat to take away the rights that the people have got through the amendment.

If the intention was clear, do two big parties need a dark room? The two big parties have come together by lying and insinuating," he said. "It seems that the way, place and time to agree is about to take a journey towards regression. They are trying to lead the country to conflict. He also reminded that the peace agreement and the creation of the constitution were only through maximum national consensus and discussion.

Dahal pointed out that Maoist's biggest investment in the constitution is not to weaken it. "This constitution, built on the foundation of decade-long rebellion and subsequent movements of the oppressed classes, regions, genders, communities, even though they tried to tear it down in the middle of the night, it was saved with the support of the people on the streets, and it will be saved in the same way in the days to come," he said.

According to the constitutional provisions, a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly is mandatory to amend the constitution. According to which, at least 184 MPs are required in the 275 of the House of Representatives. Adding the Congress and UML (excluding the Speaker and the suspended one) adds up to 165. These two parties will have to gather 19 more MPs for two-thirds. There is preparation for a coalition involving parties including RPRPA (14), Janmat (6) and Janata Samajwadi (7).

However, the arithmetic of the National Assembly is not favorable for them. At least 40 votes are required in the 59-member National Assembly. In the National Assembly, Maoists have only 17 MPs while Congress has 16 MPs and UML has 10 MPs. For two-thirds, the main two parties need the support of 14 more MPs. In the National Assembly, there are 8 MPs from United Socialists, 3 from JSP Nepal, 1 from LOSPA, 1 from Jana Morcha and 3 nominated MPs. Congress and UML need the support of all these parties and nominees to reach two-thirds in the National Assembly.

Dahal also made a proposal on behalf of the Maoists to amend the constitution. If the constitution is to be amended, let's have an open discussion. Go directly to the executive. Let's increase the representation of Dalits and women. Let us ensure the rights of the oppressed, caste classes more,” he said. But he also alleged that the Congress and UML are going to return to the constitution of 2047 through amendment.

Stating that Congress and UML have agreed to amend the constitution while sharing power, Chief Whip of the Congress, Ramesh Lekhtar, stated that the basic principles of the constitution will not be weakened. He said that federalism, republic, democracy and inclusiveness will not be weakened. The author also argued that an attempt was made to establish a false interpretation of the constitutional amendment.

'Reviewing the constitution, evaluating what are the good aspects and what are the complications, and making amendments to amend the constitution and laws as needed,' he said. It is to further strengthen the purpose of building the state. Amending the constitution is not about backwardness, it is about making the constitution more advanced for progress. Stating that the constitution cannot be amended by only one or two parties, the writer said that Congress and UML have only taken the initiative and will involve other political parties in the future.

UML Secretary and MP Yogesh Bhattarai said that the country will move forward on the path of progress through constitutional amendment. "Revision of the constitution is for the advancement of the 2072 constitution, not for regression," he said Bhattarai said that UML and Congress have met.

RSVP Chairman and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane claimed that although there are many issues that need to be changed in the constitution, the alliance between Congress and UML is not for amending the constitution. "Congress and UML are not going to form an alliance for the amendment of the constitution. After the corruption files were revealed, it was agreed to protect people in the name of protecting the constitution," he said.